Dequavious “Quay” Graves, 31, was shot on Oxford Drive, and investigators have not released a motive.
DECATUR, Ga. — The family of a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier killed while delivering mail in DeKalb County is pleading for answers as federal investigators offer up to $250,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction, authorities said.
Dequavious Graves, 31, was shot last week while working his route, a killing that has rattled his co-workers and neighbors who knew him as a steady presence behind the wheel of a mail truck. Investigators with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and DeKalb County police have not identified a suspect or a motive, but they say they are reviewing surveillance video, posting reward flyers, and canvassing the area for witnesses. Postal officials said counseling support is available to employees at the post office where Graves reported for work.
Authorities said Graves was delivering mail on Thu., Feb. 12, when he was shot just before 7 p.m. in the 2700 block of Oxford Drive in Decatur. Police have not detailed the moments leading up to the shooting or whether the attacker said anything to Graves. Investigators said a nearby surveillance camera recorded video from the neighborhood, and detectives have been studying that footage as they try to identify the shooter and track movements around the street that night. In the days that followed, officers returned to the area to speak with residents and ask for additional camera recordings.
Relatives said Graves was known as “Quay,” and they described him as kind, upbeat, and committed to his job. His cousin, Nosakhere Andrews, said Graves carried a bright smile and a high energy that people noticed right away. Family members said they cannot understand why someone would attack him while he was simply doing his work. They said he had been with the Postal Service for about three years and had become familiar to people along his route, where neighbors sometimes greeted him and offered small gestures of kindness on hot days.
Postal officials said Graves typically started his shifts from the Wesley Chapel Post Office near Wesley Chapel Road and Snapfinger Road. A Postal Service spokesperson said counselors have been made available to support employees there as they grieve. Federal officials said the investigation is being handled jointly with local police. In a statement, U.S. Postal Inspector Breslin Steverson said the agency was “deeply saddened” by the killing and that investigators would continue working with law enforcement partners to bring those responsible to justice.
Even as detectives search for leads, Graves’ family has been receiving visitors who want to honor his memory. Shannon Graves, his mother, said co-workers came to her home Sunday to pay their respects and share stories about working with her son. Some co-workers declined to speak publicly, relatives said, explaining it was against union rules to do on-camera interviews, but they still showed up to support the family. Shannon Graves said the turnout revealed how widely he was appreciated. She said she had not realized how many people at the post office felt close to her son.
Officials have released few details about the shooter, but the Postal Inspection Service has warned the person or people responsible should be considered armed and dangerous. Investigators have not said whether the attack involved one gunman or more than one, and they have not publicly described a vehicle or clothing. They also have not said whether the shooting was connected to the mail, the truck, or anything else on the route. Detectives have been trying to determine whether Graves was targeted because he was a postal employee or whether the shooting stemmed from a separate conflict.
The $250,000 reward is among the largest offered in the region in recent months and reflects the urgency investigators say they feel in solving the case. Reward flyers have been posted around the neighborhood as police continue canvassing. Officials said even small details, such as a person seen walking unusually fast, a vehicle circling the block, or a camera that captured a passing car, could help narrow the timeline. Investigators said tips can be provided to the Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or through the agency’s evidence submission system.
As of Tuesday, authorities said there have been no arrests, and detectives are still working to identify a suspect and a motive. Investigators said they expect to conduct more interviews and review additional video as tips come in, and they said the reward will remain in place as the search continues.
Author note: Last updated February 17, 2026.